Announcements about my International Linux Live Systems

Tag: kernel 4.6.4

I have made a new version of ExTiX – The Ultimate Linux System. I call it ExTiX 16.4 KDE Live DVD. (The previous version was 16.2).

ABOUT
ExTiX 16.4 KDE DVD 64 bit is based on Debian 8.5 Jessie/Debian 9 Stretch and Ubuntu 16.04.1. The original system includes the Desktop Environment Unity (Ubuntu). After removing Unity I have installed KDE Frameworks 5.18.0 with KDE 4.15. KDE Frameworks are 60 addon libraries to Qt which provide a wide variety of commonly needed functionality in mature, peer reviewed and well tested libraries with friendly licensing terms.

The system language is ENGLISH.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.6.0-9-exton corresponding Kernel.org’s kernel 4.6.4. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system. Extract ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.6.0-9-exton.7z with the command 7za x ubuntu-kernel-64bit-4.6.0-9-exton.7z.

Compatibility A general truth: If an original system can run on a particular computer an Exton “remaster” of the same original system can run on the same computer. I never change a Linux system for the worse in terms of auto configuration and hardware detection, etc. It happens that I replace the original kernel, but always to a “better” one with even more native support for various hardware etc. (Which I have done in this case).

NEWS 160728 about Exton|OS Light Live DVD – ISO file of 885 MB
I’ve made a new extra version of Exton|OS based on Ubuntu16.04.1 (alias Xenial Xerus) 64 bit with only a minimum of packages pre-installed. Among them a terminal emulator (LXTerminal), a Web Browser (Google Chrome – so you can run Netflix), PCManFM (file manager), NetworkManager, GParted (Partition Editor), Samba (so you can reach your Windows computers) and Synaptic (Package Manager). I give you the pleasure of installing all extra packages you need after a hard disk installation of Exton|OS Light. Use Synaptic for that. You can of course also install new packages while running the system live (from DVD/USB stick), but nothing will be saved after a reboot. Unless you have followed my USB Install Instruction (under B) or used UNetbootin) and used Boot alternative 2 – Persistent when you have used UNetbootin. If you have plenty of RAM you can even install big programs (such as LibreOffice) while running the system live even from DVD. Exton|OS Light’s Window manager Openbox guarantees lightness and elegance.

Replacement
This version of Exton|OS Light from 160728 replaces version 160207 of Exton|OS Light. Exton|OS Light is now based on Debian Stretch/Sid and Ubuntu16.04.1 (released 160721).

About
Exton|OS Light Live CD is based on Ubuntu16.04.1Xenial Xerus 64 bit and Debian Stretch/Sid. Exton|OS Light’s ISO file (of 885 MB!) is a ISO-hybrid, which means that it can very easily be transferred (copied) to an USB pen drive. You can then even run Exton|OS from the USB stick and save all your system changes on the stick. I.e. you will enjoy persistence! Read my USB INSTRUCTION under B).

Packages
All installed packages in Exton|OS Light have been updated to the latest available version as at July 28, 2016. Study the full package list.

Used KERNEL
My special kernel 4.6.0-9-exton, equivalent to Kernel.org’s kernel 4.6.4. You can download “my” kernel if you want to use it in another Ubuntu/Debian system.

Log in to OpenboxWhen the system has booted up you will end up in X (Openbox) as the ordinary user live. You can log out from Openbox and back again as root (“Other”) if you want. The password for root is root. When logged in as live you can become root with sudo su. There is no password for live when running the system live. (I.e. from CD or USB).

Hard drive installation
I have replaced Ubuntu’s installation program Ubiquity with Exton|OS Installer, which is a clone of Debian Live Installer. The installation to hard drive is now so simple that a 10 year old child can do it. Watch aSLIDESHOWof the hard drive installation process.Just start the installation program (Exton|OS Installer) from the menu under System and follow the instructions. Note1: When asked create a new normal user. Unfortunately this new user won’t exist when the installation is ready. You’ll have to log in to Openbox as root with the password you gave your created user. Then open up a terminal and run this command: adduser live. (I.e. if you want to run Exton|OS Light as a normal user). Note2: Be sure to name your own created user live (username). If you give your ordinary user any other name the menu in Openbox after a hard drive installation won’t work. It is sort of a “bug”. Sorry about that. Note3: The password you create for your user during the hard drive installation will be root’s new password.

Runs from RAM
Another great thing is that Exton|OS Light can run from RAM. Use Boot alternative 3 (Copy to RAM). When the system has booted up you can remove the disc (DVD) or USB stick. You’ll need at least 2 GB RAM to run Exton|OS Light that way. Since the system is relatively small (ISO file of 885 MB) Exton|OS Light will run really fast from RAM. Super fast I would say!

WHAT IS ArchEX dual?
ArchEX 64bit/32bit dual is a new (160724) Linux live DVD based on Arch Linux. Arch motto is KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). ArchEX uses kernel 4.6.4-1-ARCH (latest) and the LXDE Desktop environment.

INSTALLATION to hard drive
ArchEX can easily be installed to hard drive of those who so desire. Use ArchEX Installer. I.e. while running ArchEX live from the DVD. Read this INSTRUCTION.

Install ArchEX to a USB Pen Drive with persistence
Please read my INSTRUCTION. All your system changes will be saved directly on the stick.

Rolling distribution
Arch Linux/ArchEX are rolling distributions, which implies that once you have installed the system on the hard drive there is no need for re-installations (which otherwise is common in the Linux world).

WHO should run Arch Linux?
My answer: The system fits the “advanced” Linux user/enthusiast, who would be willing to run an occasional command from time to time.

BENEFITS of ArchEX/Arch Linux
“Cutting Edge”-software and speed. You will for example always run the latest kernel if you upgrade ArchEX/Arch (for example) every month.

I have made yet another version of SlackEX. It has the latest kernel (4.6.4, released 160711) and the latest KDE (4.14.21) Desktop Environment.

New features in version 160714 of SlackEX
I have replaced kernel 4.5.1-x86_64-exton with kernel 4.6.4-x86_64-exton with support for “everything”. Most important is that I have changed repositories from Slackware 14.1 to Current. I.e. Slackware14.2 (released 160701). KDE is upgraded to version 4.14.21 (latest KDE version). All other component software is also upgraded to the latest Slackware Current version by now. I may also mention in particular GParted 0.24.0 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), VirtualBox 5.1.0 (latest, not in Slackware’s repositories), Google Chrome 46.0.2490.86 (not in Slackware’s repositories), Gimp 2.8.10 (installed from source), GSlapt 0.5.3h, Firefox 47.0.1, Thunderbird 45.2.0, Samba 4.4.5 and GCC 5.3.0. Furthermore I have installed Grub2, which can be used as boot loader (if you want) after a hard drive install. Study the full package LIST. Note: I have replaced Wicd with NetworkManager. It works better. Most important: This version of SlackEX has to be installed to a USB Pen Drive!

I have compiled a very useful (as I think) 64 bit kernel for SlackwareCurrent (14.2) and/or all Slackware derivatives. For example Slax, Zenwalk and SlackEX. The kernel is compiled exactly the same way as Slackware’s latest kernel huge. “My” kernel 4.6.4-x86_64-exton has even more support for new hardware, etc. Kernel 4.6.4 is the latest stable kernel available from Kernel.org. Released yesterday (20160711).